Review: ‘The Ottoman Lieutenant’ is more than “just a romance”.

Paladin

Presents

THE OTTOMAN LIEUTENANT

THE OTTOMAN LIEUTENANT is the first movie to explore the eastern front of World War I, and tells the story of a beautiful, strong-willed woman (Hera Hilmar, ANNA KARENINA, DAVINCI’S DEMONS), who, frustrated by ongoing injustice at home, leaves the United States after meeting Jude, an American doctor (Josh Hartnett, PENNY DREADFUL, BLACK HAWK DOWN, PEARL HARBOR ) who runs a remote medical mission within the Ottoman Empire — a world both exotic and dangerous, and on the brink of what is about to become the first World War.  There, she finds her loyalty to Jude and the mission’s founder, (Ben Kingsley, GANDHI, SCHINDLER’S LIST) tested when she falls in love with a lieutenant in the Ottoman Imperial Army (Michiel Huisman, WILD, THE AGE OF ADALINE, HARLEY AND THE DAVIDSONS, GAME OF THRONES).  Now, with invading army forces at their doorstep, and the world about to plunge into all-out war, she must decide if she wants to be what other people want her to be, or to be herself.

This sweeping romance is everything you want it to be. A grand score by Geoff Zanelli sets the tone for this gorgeously constructed period piece with a powerhouse cast. Director Joseph Ruben brings to life the story of a young woman, although born into wealth, has the desire to be of service as a nurse wherever she is needed. Inspired by a visiting doctor, she makes arrangements to use her inheritance to fund medical supplies and travel to a remote hospital in the Ottoman Empire. Along the way she tags a lieutenant in the Ottoman Imperial Army to be her escort to her inspiring doctor. Sparks fly as tradition and duty come into call and cooler heads must prevail in love and war, but who will win? Hera Hilmar plays our leading lady with the tenacity and innocence to make you both admire and route for her. Michiel Huisman as our Lieutenant is valiant, passionate, and maintains a ceaseless faith in doing what’s right. Josh Hartnett plays Jude as elegantly strong and equally stubborn. The unsurpassed master, Sir Ben Kingsley as hospital founder Woodruff, is strong-headed but for good reason. He becomes the guidance so desperately needed in Lillie’s adventure. The chemistry between the cast is deliciously palpable. I cannot imagine any of these roles filled by other actors. The costumes and the attention to detail are impeccable. The Ottoman Lieutenant is historically interesting and beautifully written, but don’t write it off as “just a romance.” The film tackles such issues as the outbreak of the Armenian genocide, gender politics, and transcending cultural and religious norms in the name of love. You can catch the film nationwide today, March 10th.


Starring:

Michiel Huisman (Wild, Age of Adaline, Game of Thrones”)

Hera Hilmar (Anna Karenina, Davinci’s Demons)

Josh Hartnett (“Penny Dreadful“)

& Academy Award-Winner Ben Kingsley (Gandhi, Schindlers List)

Directed by: Joseph Ruben

Written by:  Jeff Stockwell

RT: 100 minutes

http://theottomanlieutenant.com/

Social Media:

Facebook: @theottomanlieutenant

Twitter: @theottomanlieut

Instagram: @theottomanlieutenant

Netflix News: Brad Pitt & Tilda Swinton in teaser for ‘War Machine’ – available May 26th

Oh, Netflix. You are truly worth $11.99 per month.


An absurdist war story for our times, writer-director David Michôd (Animal Kingdom) recreates a U.S. General’s roller-coaster rise and fall as part reality, part savage parody – raising the specter of just where the line between them lies today. His is an exploration of a born leader’s ultra-confident march right into the dark heart of folly. At the story’s core is Brad Pitt’s sly take on a successful, charismatic four-star general who leapt in like a rock star to command NATO forces in Afghanistan, only to be taken down by a journalist’s no-holds-barred exposé.

The Netflix original film is inspired by the book The Operators: The Wild & Terrifying Inside Story of America’s War in Afghanistan by the late journalist Michael Hastings. Joining Pitt in War Machine is a highly decorated cast including Tilda Swinton, Sir Ben Kingsley, Anthony Michael Hall, Topher Grace, Will Poulter, Lakeith Stanfield, Emory Cohen, John Magaro, RJ Cyler, Alan Ruck, Scoot McNairy and Meg Tilly. Ian Bryce and Plan B’s Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Brad Pitt serve as producers. James Skotchdopole serves as executive producer. The film will be released on Netflix on May 26, 2017.

Review: ‘LEARNING TO DRIVE’ rides right into your heart.

Learning to Drive-poster2Two very different people cross paths in a cab, changing both their lives forever. This is the basic outline for the charming new film LEARNING TO DRIVE. But, this movie is so much more than basic. Sir Ben Kingsley and Patricia Clarkson come together to explore love and life as they enter new stages and become each other’s teacher.

LTD_09-07-13_139_R_CROP Patricia Clarkson stars as Wendy in Broad Green Pictures upcoming release, LEARNING TO DRIVE. Credit: Linda Kallerus/Broad Green Pictures

Patricia Clarkson stars as Wendy in Broad Green Pictures upcoming release, LEARNING TO DRIVE.
Credit: Linda Kallerus/Broad Green Pictures

Clarkson plays successful writer, Wendy, whose marriage suddenly falls apart. In order to take control of her new found single life, she navigates selling her home, dating, and relinquishing her comfort behind the wheel. Kingsley becomes Wendy’s instructor after witnessing the intimate crumbling of her marriage in the back of his cab. As he returns some forgotten property to her home, the two become pupil and instructor during the day and dear friends as the film progresses. Kingsley’s Darwan battles some personal struggles of his own as a long time single man finally accepting an arranged marriage. He must learn to communicate with his new bride while letting go of control himself.

LTD_09-05-13_793_R_CROP (l to r) Sarita Choudhury stars as Jasleen and Ben Kingsley as Darwan in Broad Green Pictures upcoming release, LEARNING TO DRIVE. Credit: Linda Kallerus/Broad Green Pictures

(l to r) Sarita Choudhury stars as Jasleen and Ben Kingsley as Darwan in Broad Green Pictures upcoming release, LEARNING TO DRIVE.
Credit: Linda Kallerus/Broad Green Pictures

Ben Kingsley is brilliant as ever. Never missing a beat in a character that is so beautifully genuine. He is a treasure to watch. Patricia Clarkson is engrossing as always.Lovely and vulnerable, her journey through the film is relatable on all levels. Her accessibility as an actress is palpable. With solid performances from Jake Webber as Wendy’s ex and Grace Gummer as their daughter, this changing family dynamic is one we’ve all come across. Much applause to Sarita Choudhury as Darwan’s new wife Jasleen. This reminds me of how I felt when I moved to India in 2008. A little lost, confused, relying heavily on television to entertain me, and afraid to venture too far outside at first. She is a gem n everything she appears in. LEARNING TO DRIVE will certainly have an audience in the over 30 category. Director Isabel Coixet and screenwriter Sarah Kernochan make a truly cohesive team. I hope we see more from them as a pair in the future.

LEARNING TO DRIVE comes to theaters today

http://learningtodrivemovie.com

Running Time: 90 minutes      Rating: R